Pro football is alive and well in Washington, D.C.
The D.C. Defenders improved to 4-0 in the rejuvenated XFL Sunday after a 32-18 win over the Vegas Vipers. Quarterback Jordan Ta’amu completed 14 of 19 passes for 177 yards and rushed for 89 yards leading the Defenders to another victory.
DC jumped out to a 14-6 lead behind Gregg Williams’ stout defense at halftime. Two field goals in the third quarter increased DC’s lead to 20-6 heading into the fourth quarter.
However, in the fourth quarter, the Vipers made a comeback attempt. Quarterback Luis Perez found wide receiver Cinque Sweeting for a 26-yard touchdown to trim DC’s lead to 20-12. The Vipers 2-point attempt failed as Perez’s pass was incomplete.
How did the Defenders respond?
Not did DC answer with a field goal and terrific defense to increase their lead to 23-12, but quarterback D’Eriq King found wide receiver Jequez Ezzard for a 32-yard touchdown to put the Defenders up 29-12. With 2:40 remaining after that score, that was the play that essentially clinched the win for DC.
Another Vegas connection between Perez and Sweeting cut the lead to 29-18. The Vipers missed the 2-point attempt.
DC’s next possession ended when kicker Matthew McCrane drilled a 23-yard field goal to make it 32-18 with 47 seconds remaining.
That was the end, and the Defenders are now 4-0, with a 3-0 mark at Audi Field in Washington.
GUESS WHO’S 4-0??
WE AREEEEEEE #DefendDC | #XFL2023
— D.C. Defenders (@XFLDefenders) March 13, 2023
The Beer Snake was alive and well.
BEER SNAKE CAPITAL OF THE WORLD pic.twitter.com/7jQwI15FPH
— Barstool DMV (@Barstooldmv) March 13, 2023
The Defenders and Houston Roughnecks are the only two undefeated teams remaining in the XFL. The Roughnecks are coached by longtime NFL head coach and defensive coordinator Wade Phillips.
The Defenders are back on the road next week with a game at the 3-1 St. Louis Battlehawks. DC defeated St. Louis last week in Washington. The showdown between DC and Houston is scheduled for Monday Night Football on March 27.
